Tough Kent

ANB got a knock to the head whilst training down at Casey this morning. He won’t play on Sunday.

Viney in for Neal-Bullen. Nibbla bloody stiff if you ask me.

Tom is a very good player and a something that we lack, a quality crumbed. He was recruited from Casey so he knows a lot of the boys on our list. Very gettable.

Changes: -Tim Smith for Weideman. Weid struggling and a liability when the ball hits the ground. Smith gives you a contest. -Garlett for Spargo. Jeffy ready. Let Spargo play in the guts for Casey over an extended period. - Stretch for Corey Wagner. Billy deserves an extended run. Corey was lost and just had the 6 touches. - Keilty for Josh Wagner. Josh was not disgraced, but we were clearly a tall short in defence. Hore was good - 13 marks for the game. Let’s see if Keilty is up to it. - Baker for Lewis. Jordan won’t get up 4 days after returning from a hamstring injury. Let’s see if Oskar brings some enthusiasm into the team. - Lockhart for Viney/Jetta. Get Lockhart’s run in. One of these sore boys is bound to miss. Six changes not ideal, but given the 4 day turnaround and our form it’s to be expected. I think the ins cover the ground better than the outs. Two debutantes to bring the excitement factor.

Oh dear.

Stretch, Garlett not back out after half time. They're obviously in the selectors' minds for Wednesday night.

Wing/half back

I was on put on hold for over 20 minutes when making a membership inquiry late last year. It was the middle of November, hardly peak season for them. It was pretty poor I thought.

Nibbla's instructions from the coaches for this game - "Tackle, tackle, tackle". He's on the right path.

Jeff Garlett kicked 3, assisted two others & had 18 disposals and 5 tackles

Nibbla just the 12 possessions and 11 tackles so far.

Jeffy has had 13 possessions, 3 goals and given off 2-3 goals.

Thoughts on the game last night: - our team defence was good after 1/4 time. We didn’t leak goals out the back and we defended the ground much better - Marty Hore was fantastic. Intercept marker who reads the play well. If he can use it well he can stay in the team - Gawn was immense and did as he pleased. Preuss was a presence up forward, but looks to be in trouble with his shoulder. - there’s a bit of life in the old boy yet. Jones willed himself to contests and showed he still has a role to play. - we applied pressure inside 50 for the first time all year. It was great to see Sydney unable to clear their defensive 50 for large parts of the game. Spargo was important here. Unlike most he lowers his eyes. - Salem had another good one. - we showed more composure coming out of backline last night, but still hacked it out at times. Does Lewis come straight back in next week? - credit to Frosty. Knew his role, played his role. For mine, he plays ahead of Oscar when May and Lever return. Just keep things simple for him. - I thought Trac looked dangerous. Loved his battle with Rampe. - I’d hate to have Jayden Hunt on my tail if the ball hit the ground in my back line. He adds a different dimension up there. - Florent, Zac Jones and Heeney were very good on the wings for Sydney. What I wouldn’t give for some class, outside run. Billy Stretch deserved his opportunity but was lead to the ball far too often at center bounces. - I thought for the first time all year we were daring with the ball and took some risks by trying to move the ball through the corridor. - I’m not sure our opposition were much good, so I’m not getting carried away with the win. - Cameron Ling, of all people, made a really good observation last night. He said, “Melbourne have rediscovered how hard you have to work to be a really good team”. Better late than never. Bring on the Saints.

Preuss did little at training this morning. A few laps and some shots at goal. He had a very heavily strapped calf.

I really hope this unsubstantiated rumour is wrong but there is talk that vanders has a hot spot in his foot and that he could miss eight plus weeks.

Cory Machaya has done his ACL. That’s a blow for Casey.

That was the couple of players I spoke to said. Found it hard starting inside forward 50, charging at the centre bounce, only for the ball to go sailing over their head anyway. The players enjoyed starting at the back of the square as a means of getting themselves into the game. Will take some adjustment.

Just came from the Sponsor’s Function. - We will go in with one ruckman against Port. - The players are not massive fans of the 6-6-6. - Joel Smith and AvB were not there as they were getting scans. No JKH or Harmes either. - One player said that the current group of young players that came into the club were the most exciting group in a long time. In particular, he said Austin Bradkte could be anything. - Jake Lever back in full training. He said he’s honestly got no idea when he’ll be back, so people should stop asking him! - There will be match simulation next Saturday. Players, in particular the defenders, were not happy with the lack of pressure on the Lion’s midfield yesterday. Delivery inside 50 will continue to be a focus. - Losing two players early really hurt us yesterday. Especially against a team with extra players. One player felt like he just went into survival mode after half time. We played 23. Keilty was supposed to come on later than he did.

Maybe we shouldn't underestimate how tough it was backing up 6 days after playing in 40 degree heat???

https://www.businessinsider.com.au/wiesn-koks-oktoberfest-drug-2015-9 Innocent in a court of law. Morally bankrupt.

Charlie definitely trained WJ. Got a photo with the kids afterwards.

I Spoke to one of the players after training. Today was a light prelude to Monday, just easing the boys back in to it. There was no formal time trial this morning. Nathan Jones was experiencing back related hamstring tightness. He was not sure how hard he could push himself as he had never had a hamstring issue before. Light run throughs and some boxing for him, but he could feel it every time he extended himself. Not ideal for Chunk.

He is a contested bull. I love his break away speed from a contest. He is good overhead for his size too. The knock on him was his disposal. He certainly has an awkward looking ball drop. I’m rather bullish about this kid. He’s my Smokey for Round 1.

Maybe they broke up before us? The AFLPA agreement states that the players have to have a 3 week hiatus over the Xmas period

The boys go back on Saturday 12th Jan. I imagine it will involve testing and such things. As Ding suggested, the 14th would be the one to get to if you could hang around an extra day or two.